Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1117384
16.05.19 11 INTERVIEW developers: Yes, but not only The feel-good factor and trust generated under Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami diminished immediately after he stepped down. Muscat managed to instill that positive factor by meeting all relevant stakeholders and being upfront on his vision and expectations the afterlife. is trend hasn't slowed down. Recent figures from the ECB confirm this while also reveal that Malta is still amongst the cheapest countries to buy property in. However, one must question the is- sue of the minimum wage which as we have been saying for the past two years should improve. is increase should move away from C.O.L.A scales and reflect directly the realities of the country. I know the MDA represents developers, but does it also help the man on the street? We are very worried at the increase in number of amateur developers who are selling property off-plan and reneging on deals, often leaving buyers to suffer financial losses. We regularly get young couples here who were blindsided by so-called 'de- velopers' who not only ignore the sale agreements but even sometimes com- pletely deceive prospective buyers. Whilst I always urge prospective prop- erty owners to exercise diligence, we re- ceive regular calls from the man on the street asking us if the such-and-such developer is reputable. To this end, we keep updated records on each and every registered member within the MDA and thus can advise accordingly. But we can only vouch for our mem- bers and often find ourselves telling prospective buyers if a developer is our member or not. You were recently quoted as voicing concern at whether the success recorded under Prime Minister Joseph Muscat can be sustained under his eventual successor... Is the MDA worried about life in Malta post-Muscat? During this legislature, Muscat has managed to create a tangible feel-good factor in Malta. is is making it possible for people to invest and get into certain long term commitments and projects. Now, we know that after every change in government that feel good factor de- teriorates. Case in point was how the feel-good factor and trust generated under Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami dimin- ished immediately after he stepped down. Muscat managed to instill that posi- tive factor by meeting all relevant stake- holders and being upfront on his vision and expectations. He managed to convince those he met to share his vision and it is possible that once Murcat leaves office, the positive economical rhythm that the country is enjoying could be tainted. at is why the MDA is concerned. And not because we are in any way con- cerned with the identity of people who have this far been touted as possible successor to Muscat. Muscat had a vision like Eddie Fenech Adami and George Borg Olivier, and he wasn't afraid to take risks to achieve that vision. However, you can rest assured our mission will continue, irrespectiveirrel- evant on who's at the helm of the coun- try. And finally, one word to describe the following ... Joseph Muscat? Success. The opposition? Hope. The cost of living in Malta? Bearable. The outlook for the construction industry in Malta in the years to come? Positive.